High temperature gravel packing fluid system

Abstract

A composition and method for treating a subterranean formation that includes preparing a treatment gel of aqueous fluid, a thickening agent soluble in the aqueous fluid, sand/gravel, and micro fibrous cellulose. Placing the treatment gel in at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of placing a gravel pack in a subterranean formation comprising:
 providing a gravel packing fluid in the form of a linear gel and comprising an aqueous base fluid, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, gravel, and micro fibrous cellulose; and 
 placing the gravel packing fluid into the subterranean formation; and creating a gravel pack in the subterranean formation. 
 
     
     
       2. A method of placing a gravel pack in a subterranean formation comprising:
 providing a gravel packing fluid in the form of a linear gel and comprising an aqueous base fluid, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate soluble in the aqueous fluid, gravel, and micro fibrous cellulose wherein the micro fibrous cellulose is present in the gravel packing fluid in an amount of about 5 lb/1,000 gal to about 300 lb/1,000 gal creating a three dimensional network surrounding the hydroxypropyl starch phosphate to increase elasticity of the gravel packing fluid; and 
 placing the gravel packing fluid into the subterranean formation; and 
 creating a gravel pack in the subterranean formation. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the micro fibrous cellulose forms a network structure of elongated amorphous and crystalline regions surrounding the thickening agent to form a suspension. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein a bottom hole static temperature of the subterranean formation of about 275° F. to about 350° F. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the gravel pack is located within an annulus outside a gravel pack screen. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the gravel pack is located within the subterranean formation. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the aqueous base fluid comprises a brine. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the brine is selected from the group consisting a monovalent brine, a divalent brine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the monovalent brine comprises sodium chloride brines, sodium bromide brines, potassium chloride brines, potassium bromide brines, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the divalent brine comprises magnesium chloride brines, calcium chloride brines, calcium bromide brines, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the gravel packing fluid is placed into the subterranean formation using one or more pumps. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the gravel is present in a size of about 0.0083 inches to about 0.0661 inches. 
     
     
       13. A method of placing a gravel pack in a subterranean formation comprising:
 providing a gravel packing fluid in the form of a linear gel, wherein the gravel packing fluid comprises a brine, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate soluble in the brine, gravel, and micro fibrous cellulose wherein the micro fibrous cellulose is present in the gravel packing fluid in an amount of about 5 lb/1,000 gal to about 300 lb/1,000 gal creating a three dimensional network surrounding the hydroxypropyl starch phosphate to increase elasticity of the gravel packing fluid in temperatures of about 270° F. to about 350° F.; and 
 placing the gravel packing fluid into the subterranean formation such that a gravel pack is formed in the subterranean formation. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the gravel pack is located within an annulus outside a gravel pack screen. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the brine comprises sodium bromide. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the gravel is present in a size of about 0.0083 inches to about 0.0661 inches.